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Dolphins S T.J. McDonald is expected to push for the starting job opposite Reshad Jones when he returns from suspension.

McDonald can't return until Week 9, but is likely to have an immediate role as the top safety behind Jones. Even with the missed time, he shouldn’t have trouble passing Nate Allen. McDonald has started every game since entering the league in 2013. Jul 15 - 2:05 PM

Dolphins signed S T.J. McDonald, formerly of the Rams, to a one-year contract.

Miami was the only club that showed known interest in McDonald this offseason. And now that he's been hit with an eight-game suspension, and the Dolphins know how long he'll be out, they're comfortable taking a flier on him. The 26-year-old showed flashes of stardom with the Rams at times and was one of the team's many big hitters on defense the previous few years. If he gets his head on straight off the field, McDonald can be a big factor on it next to SS Reshad Jones. Mar 31 - 10:57 AM

NFL suspended free agent SS T.J. McDonald the first eight games of 2017 for violating the substance abuse policy.

The suspension stems from his 2016 DUI. McDonald recently visited Miami, but hasn't had much free agent interest. The eight-game ban is a major hit to his chances of signing with a team. McDonald wouldn't count against the 53-man roster until Week 9 if he lands a contract. Mar 29 - 5:34 PM

The 26-year-old hasn't drawn an ounce of interest to this point, possibly due to him pleading guilty to reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol back in January. McDonald is now subject to a suspension. He could be an option for the Browns to reunite with DC Gregg Williams after Cleveland whiffed on SS Tony Jefferson. Maurice Alexander is likely to replace McDonald in LA. Mar 9 - 2:05 PM

Player News

Dolphins signed S T.J. McDonald, formerly of the Rams, to a one-year contract.

Miami was the only club that showed known interest in McDonald this offseason. And now that he's been hit with an eight-game suspension, and the Dolphins know how long he'll be out, they're comfortable taking a flier on him. The 26-year-old showed flashes of stardom with the Rams at times and was one of the team's many big hitters on defense the previous few years. If he gets his head on straight off the field, McDonald can be a big factor on it next to SS Reshad Jones.

NFL suspended free agent SS T.J. McDonald the first eight games of 2017 for violating the substance abuse policy.

The suspension stems from his 2016 DUI. McDonald recently visited Miami, but hasn't had much free agent interest. The eight-game ban is a major hit to his chances of signing with a team. McDonald wouldn't count against the 53-man roster until Week 9 if he lands a contract.

The 26-year-old hasn't drawn an ounce of interest to this point, possibly due to him pleading guilty to reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol back in January. McDonald is now subject to a suspension. He could be an option for the Browns to reunite with DC Gregg Williams after Cleveland whiffed on SS Tony Jefferson. Maurice Alexander is likely to replace McDonald in LA.

McDonald was originally charged with driving under the influence of drugs after he was arrested last May, but he pleaded to a lesser offense. McDonald was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to complete a three-month alcohol program, and ordered to complete one-month residential drug program among other penalties. Likely to face a suspension now that the legal situation is resolved, McDonald could find a quieter than expected market in free agency.

McDonald allegedly crashed into a parked car and waited for police to arrive to the scene where he was then taken into custody. McDonald wasn't arrested for alcohol abuse, but it's believed he was on some sort of medication that had him acting out of the ordinary. He was later released on his own recognizance. McDonald is now subject to a suspension.

Rams SS T.J. McDonald will be sidelined until training camp with a leg injury.

Coach Jeff Fisher declined to elaborate on the injury, only saying that McDonald went through "an ordeal" earlier this offseason. The Rams will soon wrap up OTAs and typically haven't had a veteran minicamp under Fisher. McDonald was a second-half stud for the Rams in DC Gregg Williams' attacking defense.

Last season, Rams SS T.J. McDonald received the highest PFF grade of any safety in football between Weeks 9 and 17.

He still finished just 41st out of 87 qualifiers thanks to a poor first half. McDonald's fast improvement is encouraging but the Rams need their third-year strong safety to play with more consistency. McDonald finished with a negative grade overall in pass coverage but was excellent against the run. He'll start alongside FS Rodney McLeod and CBs E.J. Gaines and Janoris Jenkins.

McDonald's rookie year was sidetracked by a fractured leg that cost him six games, but he was solid down the stretch and won't face competition. The real hole for the Rams is opposite McDonald, as they desperately need an upgrade on Rodney McLeod. The Post-Dispatch expects safety to be addressed early in next week's draft.

McDonald resumed practicing Wednesday and is expected to return this week against the Bears. He should immediately regain his starting job over fill-in FS Darian Stewart. The Rams placed CB Cortland Finnegan on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

"He’s progressing nicely," coach Jeff Fisher said. "He’s actually on land running right now (as opposed to pool work), so that’s a huge step for him. We won’t have any problems with the timing of that." McDonald was a starter before going down, and will likely return as such.

He does not need surgery and will be eligible for return in Week 13. The Rams loved what they were getting from McDonald early in the season, but will now be forced to turn to journeyman Matt Giordano, who is a major liability in pass coverage.

Depth Charts

Much like starter Jay Ajayi a couple weeks ago, Drake took a helmet to helmet hit during Monday's practice and had to be helped into the locker room. Drake is competing with Damien Williams for the No. 2 job.

Like most Dolphins, Scott was the subject of numerous offseason puff pieces. He's competing for the Dolphins' No. 6 receiver job, but that's obviously in jeopardy now. A 2016 UDFA, Scott appeared in two games last season.

Larsen suffered a torn biceps last week. Salguero reports the Dolphins hope Larsen will be one of their return players, but he will at least be sidelined the first eight games of the season. Already thin at guard, the Dolphins are running out of options.